Osaka Marathon's organizing committee announced on April 6 that it will start accepting applications at 10 a.m. on April 8, for running in the 6th Osaka Marathon scheduled for Sunday, October 30, 2016.  

The Osaka Marathon is the largest of that kind in Japan, with about 32,000 runners, from Japan and abroad, making a round of scenic places including the Osaka Castle and Dotonbori and Midosuji avenues, with over 1.3 million people cheering from the roadside. Visitors to Osaka will be treated to not only the famous marathon race but also its soul food in which local folks show a rather excessive indulgence, shopping centers, and world-class amusement facilities only available in Osaka.  

There has been a growing interest abroad in the Osaka Marathon, with over 7,000 runners overseas having signed up for last year's 5th marathon.

In a series of efforts to attract more runners from abroad, the Osaka Marathon organizers have set up multiple-language websites for entries, including in Japanese, English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Korean and Thai, as well as for international contacts for inquiries.   

Outline of application  

Entry applications: From 10 a.m. on April 8, 2016

Races, maximum number of participants and participation fees:

(1) Marathon (42.195 km), 29,000 people, 13,000 yen

(2) Challenge Run (8.8 km), 2,000 people, 6,500 yen  

*Charity donation of at least 2 units, 500 yen per unit, will be requested in addition to a participation fee. Also, additional 540 yen is required as a handling fee.  

- Official websites for entry applications in three languages.

English: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/2016/runner/entry/apply/index_en.html

Japanese: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/

Traditional Chinese: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/index_tch.html

Other local-language websites for entry applications:

Hong Kong (Traditional Chinese): http://www.osaka-marathon2016-hk.com

Taiwan (Traditional Chinese): http://www.osaka-marathon.com.tw/

Official Osaka Marathon website: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/